They are remodeling, and will have three new showers and two new toilets downstairs in addition to the tub upstairs (April 2006). Extremely friendly to me, and I am American. New, un-lumpy pillows would be nice. Great location for walking and trams. 5 takes you to Piata Unirii and 16 to Lake Tei and a park.
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(Review ID: 4881)
Bad Hostel and Lying Staff, February 28, 2004
Reviewer:
Ener of California
( ca_traveler@yahoo.com)
from USA
Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
I was staying at Villa Helga the first night when I arrived in Bucharest. The place was old, dirty, and deserted. The toilet was pitiful. So the next morning I decided to change place and checked out the other hostel, Elvis Villa. The staff in Villa Helga lied to me and told me Elvis Villa was closed. After some probing, she finally gave me the directions to get to Elvis Villa. That turned out to be a great decision. The rooms in Elvis Villa were nicely painted as you can see from their website. The bathrooms were huge and very clean. The staff and the new owner were extremely friendly and attentive to the guests needs. I paid 10 Euro and received free breakfast and free laundry service. The price at Elvis Villa was the same as Villa Helga but it was a far better hostel.
1 of
3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4882)
Much better than Elvis Villa, February 13, 2004
Reviewer:
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n/a
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
We stayed here after Elvis Villa and it is MUCH better value. It is cheaper, cleaner, quieter, in a nicer location, friendlier staff. The advertised price is the ACTUAL price. Hands down better than elvis!!!
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(Review ID: 4883)
Bad Hostel,Rude Staff, March 28, 2003
Reviewer:
trina
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
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(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
Villa Helga, is not very good in fact the laundry service sucks , breakfast is crap , cable TV in Romania is crap as well.and oana and roberto dont like americans or westerners in fact, so what can i say apart from dont stay there,try the Australian Hostel ,Elvis Villa and www.elvisvilla.ro at least they like tourists because they are tourists.
3 of
10 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4884)
YH Villa Helga is the best hostel I ever stayed in, January 31, 2003
Reviewer:
Julia Ram
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
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saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This is definitely one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in, and I stayed in many. After just a few days here, and certainly after (off and on) 2 months, I felt like I was at home and among old friends, but in a much more interesting and exciting place than home. An oasis in a crazy city that isnt so crazy once you get to know it.Arriving in Bucharest to do dissertation research, I would never have imagined spending my two months here living at a hostel. In fact, I never intended to spend so long here at all. But now I cant imagine having done it any other way.This place is great for a mellow evening at home, a scintillating chat among new or old friends (depending on how long you stay), or even a crazy drinking fiesta.There are plenty of things to do in Bucharest, but its often tempting to kick back right here and watch cable TV, listen to Robertos music collection, cook dinner for Hannes together with Oana,learn some Romanian, or even paint the walls.A great place to unwind from your travels, or prepare for new ones, and to enjoy a city that is not so overrun with tourists, but still has much to offer. You will definitely have something to write home about.The reception is always warm and helpful (as long as you are not the neighbors cat),Hannes, Marian, Oana and Roberto make this place what it is, each in a different way,and I was glad to be a part of it for a short time. It was hard for me to leave, and not just because I had so much luggage, but some day, as they say, Ill be back.
3 of
4 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4885)
My pants are damp, January 18, 2003
Reviewer:
rebecca stevenson
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
This hostel was very clean and had a usable kitchen, but advertisements for their extra services are misleading.Sure, breakfast is included but it's slabs of bread and jam. Not exactly recommended by a nutritionist.The laundry service they include fails to acknowledge that oh-so-important stage of drying. Get ready to receive a basket of soaked clothes that you have to contend with...and no laundry line in sight!The shower I used was a pathetic trickle.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4886)
enjoying Bucharest, November 14, 2002
Reviewer:
Toni
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
We stayed in a cosy 2-bed room for only 9.50 USD each.There is breakfast and, we could not believe it, also laundry service included in this price.All the rooms have central heating and there wasn't anylack of hot water like in many hostels we stayed in.The living room with TV/stereo is a good place to meet and talk to other travellers.Thanks to Oana (the lovely receptionist) we got a lot of information of what to see and really enjoyed Bucharest.
